In Newsweek - The Depressing News About Anti-depressants

The Depressing News About Anti-depressants. 

http://internationalpsychoanalysis.net/2010/02/01/10160/

Researcher Kirsch presents data suggesting that antidepressants aren't much more effective than placebos.  If this is so, why hasn't there been more of a hue and cry from other researchers?

Comments

[Lisa Smith]

Dr. Friedman,

This article brought to mind the videocast of an excellent lecture at NIH in which Dr. Helen Mayberg, a prominent neurologist, questions a one-size-fits-all approach to treating depression. She notes that at least 10% of depression cases are resistant to medication and other forms of treatment. The lecture focuses on her research on Deep Brain Stimulation (DBT), a promising last-resort approach to treating depression. Along the way, Dr. Mayberg provides a crash course on the neurology of depression, how various treatments seem to affect the brain, and how science translates into real life:

http://videocast.nih.gov/podcast/wals/wals021710/wals021710.mp4

I’m looking forward to your class in April.

Best,
Lisa Smith

[Lynn Friedman, Ph.D.]

Thank you, Lisa! This is exactly the kind of comment that I was hoping to see posted to this listserv! I look forward to meeting you in class. Best, LVF

[April Lehman]

Dr. Friedman,

After reading the article I was wondering what happens in the long run with the people on the placebo pill. I guess what I'm questioning is "how long does the placebo affect really last?" Are there any studies showing that people on placebo after time switch to a real antidepressant since the prior antidepressant (placebo) wasn't working any longer?

April Lehman